Mitsubishi Grandis 2.0 DI-D Range : GRANDIS AS GRAND DOES

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Can A Large MPV Survive In The Modern Marketplace Without A Diesel Engine? It Can, But Not For Long. Hence The Importance Of Mitsubishi's Grandis DI-D. Steve Walker Reportsâ€¦

When launching a new car, the ideal scenario is for it to hit the ground running. It's all about momentum, arriving on the scene with a bang and capturing the public's imagination. In the early days, the expensive advertising campaign is at its most persuasive, the marketing machine is firing on all cylinders and the product has yet to be royally slated by assorted cynical hacks. Mitsubishi's Grandis was never really given the chance to build up this all-important head of steam because the range was launched incomplete, lacking that vital ingredient - a diesel engine. The requisite oil-burner belatedly arrived and now the Grandis has a second chance to make a good first impression.

The public's initial perception of a vehicle is vital. That's why manufacturers make big play of `launching' their latest models rather than donning a false beard and surreptitiously placing notes in corner shop windows or loading a few hundred onto transporters and shipping them out to the dealerships under cover of darkness. They want the buying public to know that there's a new product on the block. The problem in the case of the Mitsubishi Grandis was that all the buying public wanted to know was when a diesel engine would be available. The situation wasn't helped by the engine that Mitsubishi did plumb into the Grandis from day one. The feisty 2.4-litre petrol unit has 162bhp and a 10s 0-60mph capability, which is mightily impressive for this kind of vehicle. Unfortunately, combined fuel consumption of only a fraction over 30mpg gave family buyers in search of a large MPV an uncomfortable tingling sensation in the wallet region which often prompted them to look elsewhere. Today, Mitsubishi's 134bhp DI-D diesel engine is offered in the Grandis and people should be more able to see past the fuel bills to appreciate the vehicle's other qualities.

"The Grandis was never really at the races until the DI-D diesel engine came along"

The 2.0-litre DI-D engine is a turbocharged DOHC 16-valve unit of the direct injection configuration. Its 134bhp output is generated at 4,000rpm and there's a sizable 310Nm of torque available at 1,750rpm. Mitsubishi actually sourced the unit from Volkswagen and with it installed, the Grandis takes on a healthy turn of speed. Full size 7-seat MPVs that can hit 60mph from a standing start in 10.8s are rare indeed and the 121mph top speed will be more than adequate. Of course, it's economy rather than performance that drives buyers in this sector and returning an average of 43mpg, Grandis DI-D is well capable of wrestling sales from rivals. You will pay around £1,200 more for a DI-D than you would for the equivalent petrol Grandis but the superior economy and punchy engine characteristics make this look like good business. Let's try to get a handle on the Grandis' dimensions. At 4755mm long, it's a good 10cm longer than a Ford Galaxy. It's also a good deal narrower, its wasp-waisted 1795mm width making it less broad in the beam than a Ford Fiesta. That swooping roofline also means that it's low slung, never reaching more than 1655mm off the deck, making it low for an MPV. That's about 14cm lower than a Toyota Previa. If headroom in your garage is an issue but you need seven seats, the Grandis is an interesting option. The Mitsubishi certainly scores over rivals in terms of sheer space available inside and by the innovative nature of its seating arrangements. The car's `Hide and Seat' concept involves a rear row of seats that can be individually folded away into the floor in a simple operation that takes seconds. No longer will you have to fold and tumble seats, leaving ugly, greasy mechanisms exposed, nor will you need to risk a herniated disc by lugging these bulky units into the garage only for the cat to spend a penny on them whilst you're out. With the second and third row of seats folded in place, there's 1545 litres of cargo capacity available. Park it in a salubrious inner city neighbourhood and you could almost rent it out as a studio flat. The third row of seats isn't just a crude bench as in most vehicles of this ilk. Both seats can be reversed to provide a rear facing vantage point - ideal when viewing an outdoor event as the rear tailgate provides an excellent rain shelter. What's more, both these seats can be individually reclined for additional comfort. What's less of a surprise is that the Grandis comes very well-equipped. Anti lock brakes, electronic brakeforce distribution and twin front and side airbags are fitted as standard to all models, although a black mark has to be awarded for only fitting curtain airbags for the first two rows of seats. Four trim levels are offered, Classic, Equippe, Elegance and Warrior, although such is the capricious nature of Mitsubishi's marketing effort in the UK that by the time of going to press, these models may well be named something completely different. At £19,699, the Classic includes 17-inch alloy wheels, a CD player, keyless entry and alarm, automatic air-conditioning, front fog lamps, a rear spoiler, electronic door mirrors and a height adjustable drivers seat with armrest. That's a fair roster for an entry-level vehicle. Move up to the Equippe and for £21,599 there's stability and traction control, a dual sunroof, cruise control, leather trim on the steering wheel and gear shifter plus a CD autochanger. Tack on leather seats and you have the Grandis Elegance, priced from £23,099 for the manual car. The Warrior gives you a DVD entertainment system, 18" alloy wheels and some exterior styling features in addition. The Grandis was never really at the races until the DI-D diesel engine came along. All but those suffering from a morbid fear of the black-handled pump gave the petrol a miss in favour of a rival manufacturer's oil-burner. Failing to gain any real impetus at launch may have cost the Grandis in the short term but now the DI-D is here and Mitsubishi's big MPV looks well poised to claw back the lost ground.

Facts At A Glance
CAR: Mitsubishi Grandis DI-D range
PRICES: £19,914-£22,349 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 14-15
CO2 EMISSIONS: 176g/km
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 10.8s / Max Speed 121mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [DI-D] (urban) 33.6mpg / (extra urban) 50.4mpg / (combined) 42.8mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front, side and curtain airbags, ABS with EBD
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: (length/width/height mm) 4755/1795/1655